Every age group is at risk for suicide, but the most vulnerable group may surprise you. Older adults—particularly white men—experience the highest rate of suicide in the U.S. In 2005, the elderly comprised 12 percent of the population yet accounted for 17 percent of all suicides—more than 7,000 older Americans committed suicide that year.

Today’s seniors are blowing old-age stereotypes out of the water and redefining what exactly it means to be “old.” This is a generation that can expect to live longer than past generations, tends to be better educated and more financially secure, and has a long history of independence. We’re already seeing changes in the lifestyles and typical images of seniors, and with the baby boom generation approaching their senior years, we’re sure to see even more.

The president and Congress are embarking on a fervent campaign to reform our damaged health care system. Few would disagree that there is waste in our current system, and even fewer would disagree with the fact that we need to bring healthcare to the 46 million Americans who are currently uninsured. But, many in Washington and across the country disagree on how to go about financing the massive health care overhaul that lawmakers are now proposing.

Working as a registered nurse and nursing home administrator for close to two decades, Cordelia Taylor got a hard look at a system where patient needs were too often put second to the desire for profits. After her ideas for change were rejected by her boss, Mrs. Taylor left her job to start her own facility where residents would be treated with love and respect.

You’ve probably heard that Americans are living longer than ever—in fact the average baby born today can expect to live to be 78 years old. But did you know there are close to 50 other countries with even longer life expectancies?